Lay-offs at Leafly Amid $14.8 Million in Investments
Leafly, the Seattle based billionaire backed online weed directory and sales portal, recently filed a new $3.6 million dollar investment, bringing total monies raised to $14.8 million. Simultaneously, they have issued two rounds of layoffs, and have ‘dialed back on hiring’.
The company began in 2010, then was purchased in 2011 by Seattle marijuana investment firm Privateer Holdings. In June 2019 they leased a bigger headquarters, moved their offices, hired 150 employees, and in October they launched a new website design with new branding. Then in January of 2020, in response to a dip in traffic and what former Amazon now Leafly CEO Tim Leslie called “market realities of the technology and cannabis sectors”, Leafly cut 54 of those employees. Then again in March, this time citing Cornavirus, they laid off 91 employees, for a total cut of over 50% of their workforce, which is now at 133 total.
In recent months Leafly has seen an uptick in traffic due to social distancing mandates that forced many to order marijuana online. TechCrunch reported cannabis as ‘one of the bright spots in the pandemic’.
With investments totalling $111,278.19 per remaining employee, the overhead of a dot com, and online dispensary sales skyrocketing amidst the crisis, CEO Tim Leslie stated “Leafly’s work in the cannabis industry has never been more important, and we look forward to the many opportunities ahead.”
PetSmart Joins the CBD Ranks with Mary’s Tails
Even before the Farm Bill removed hemp as a controlled substance, a survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association found 371 out of 631 people were using a CBD product for their dog. Independent pet shops were quick to get on board, and even major retailers like Petco have joined in.
Now PetSmart has officially announced they too will carry pet CBD. Striking a deal to stock Mary’s Tails, part of the Mary’s Brands, the chain will initially offer the products in Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with plans in the works to expand to additional states in summer 2020. PetSmart has over 1,600 locations.
PetSmart stated they chose to work with Mary’s due to their “focus on transparency, quality, efficacy and pet-friendly delivery methods.” Vice President of Merchandising Tim Milano added, “PetSmart continues to build a world class shopping experience through merchandising, product selection, and service. We evaluated numerous CBD pet brands and selected Mary’s Tails to be the first CBD brand on the shelf. The addition of Mary’s Tails will answer the call from our consumers seeking options for a highly trusted hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD for pets.”
Even before the Farm Bill removed hemp as a controlled substance, a survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association found 371 out of 631 people were using a CBD product for their dog. Independent pet shops were quick to get on board, and even major retailers like Petco have joined in.
Now PetSmart has officially announced they too will carry pet CBD. Striking a deal to stock Mary’s Tails, part of the Mary’s Brands, the chain will initially offer the products in Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with plans in the works to expand to additional states in summer 2020. PetSmart has over 1,600 locations.
PetSmart stated they chose to work with Mary’s due to their “focus on transparency, quality, efficacy and pet-friendly delivery methods.” Vice President of Merchandising Tim Milano added, “PetSmart continues to build a world class shopping experience through merchandising, product selection, and service. We evaluated numerous CBD pet brands and selected Mary’s Tails to be the first CBD brand on the shelf. The addition of Mary’s Tails will answer the call from our consumers seeking options for a highly trusted hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD for pets.”
Social Media Stars Busted with Weed in Texas
Two Los Angeles TikTok stars are facing drug charges after they were arrested during a cross-country road trip.
Officers arrested 20-year-old Bryce Hall and 19-year-old Jaden Hossler on Monday outside Austin, Texas on drug charges. The two were charged with possession of marijuana.
Hossler was also charged with possession of less than 400 grams of a controlled substance, a felony.
The two were released after posting bail. Texas has not approved recreational adult use of cannabis, but does have a limited THC medical program.
The social media team has a combined 13 million followers on TikTok.
Two Los Angeles TikTok stars are facing drug charges after they were arrested during a cross-country road trip.
Officers arrested 20-year-old Bryce Hall and 19-year-old Jaden Hossler on Monday outside Austin, Texas on drug charges. The two were charged with possession of marijuana.
Hossler was also charged with possession of less than 400 grams of a controlled substance, a felony.
The two were released after posting bail. Texas has not approved recreational adult use of cannabis, but does have a limited THC medical program.
The social media team has a combined 13 million followers on TikTok.
Medical Marijuana in West Virginia Delayed Again
Despite having passed medical cannabis legislation in April of 2017, West Virginia still does not have a system in place for sales. Now officials say it will be even longer.
Cabinet secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources Bill Crouch told WVNews that the agency was “looking at making the product available in the spring of 2021.”
Growing and Processing licensees have been reviewed, and now have 30 days to provide supplemental materials and answer the state’s questions. Provisioning centers are still under review, and marijuana doctors could begin registering at the end of May 2020. Bureaucratic games are being blamed for, what will be, a four year gap between the vote and the reality.
Despite having passed medical cannabis legislation in April of 2017, West Virginia still does not have a system in place for sales. Now officials say it will be even longer.Cabinet secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources Bill Crouch told WVNews that the agency was “looking at making the product available in the spring of 2021.”
Growing and Processing licensees have been reviewed, and now have 30 days to provide supplemental materials and answer the state’s questions. Provisioning centers are still under review, and marijuana doctors could begin registering at the end of May 2020. Bureaucratic games are being blamed for, what will be, a four year gap between the vote and the reality.
